The Prevalence and Risk Factor of Hepatitis B Virus in Province Punjab of Pakistan: A Review

Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) is a significant cause of liver disease in developing countries including Pakistan. This review examines the prevalence and risk factors of HBV infections in the general population of Punjab province. Major transmission routes include blood transfusion, reuse of syringes, unsterilized surgical and dental instruments, barber shop equipment, acupuncture, unscreened blood transfusion, and cultural/traditional activities. Additional risk factors include poverty, vaccination ignorance, injection drug use, and mother-to-child transmission. The prevalence of HBV in Punjab is 2.4%, with significant variation across districts. Males show higher infection rates (6.03%) compared to females (5.05%). Urgent implementation of mass vaccination programs, blood screening protocols, and safe injection practices is essential for HBV prevention and control.